The XIX Kazan International Muslim Film Festival opened in the capital of Tatarstan on 5 September at G. Kamal theatre. The festival was attended by prominent Russian and foreign film directors, producers and actors.
Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, People’s Artist of the Republic of Moldova Svetlana Toma, popular Russian actress Ravshana Kurkova and other distinguished guests were among guests of honor at the ceremony. A creative meeting with director, actor and producer Emir Kusturica is also planned at the film festival.
The hosts of the opening ceremony were Soviet and Russian theatre and cinema actress Irina Lachina and Honored Artist of Tatarstan Amir Akhmadishin
.
The richness of Tatar culture was presented by popular performers Ilsia Badretdinova, Alina Sharipzhanova, Ilgiz Shaikhraziev and the Kazan Dance Theatre. Valentina Romanova, Honored Artist of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), winner of prizes for the best female role in the film Pugalo (Scarecrow) at Russian film festivals, brought her national flavor to the ceremony.
The opening ceremony also included the presentation of the festival statuettes, the presentation of the members of the international jury and the nominations of the main competition.
Vasil Shaikhraziev, deputy prime minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, conveyed greetings to the film festival on behalf of Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. In his speech he said, ‘Being one of the leading constituent entities of the Russian Federation, Tatarstan raises a lot of topics and issues related to Islam. The whole world is represented at this film festival. People come to us with pleasure, and we are proud of this. I would like to note that many such projects presented in the republic are held with the support of our Rais Rustam Minnikhanov, including this film festival, which always has a special prize of the Rais of Tatarstan’.
Vasil Shaikhraziev drew attention to several innovations of the film festival, ‘For the first time in the history of the film festival, we have connected all our municipalities, and now not only Kazan and its residents, but every person who lives in one of the 45 municipalities can also watch all the films of the festival with dignity in their cinemas. This year Tatarstan is hosting events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of outstanding political and state figure Heydar Aliev, and our film festival has organized a photo exhibition and screening of the documentary Heydar Aliev – Man of Legend as a “Special Event of the Festival”. And finally, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Tatarstan’s cinematography this year, and there is also a cycle of films dedicated to this event’.
In conclusion, prime minister stressed that the task of Tatarstan cinema is not only to win at film festivals that are held in the country, but also worldwide.
Speaking before the participants and spectators of the opening ceremony of the festival, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chief of Staff of the Council of Muftis of Russia, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Moscow Oblast Rushan Abbyasov first of all conveyed greetings and congratulations on behalf of the President of the festival, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia, Ravil Hazrat Gaynutdin. He noted that in 2005 Mufti Ravil Gaynutdin came up with the initiative to hold this film festival, which is ‘unique and the only one in the world’.
‘Unfortunately, at that time we faced misunderstanding of Islam in society. There was a lot of talk about radicalism. And we had to show the beauty of this religion all over the world, the beauty of our peoples who have honored the traditions laid down in the Holy Scriptures for centuries,’ Rushan Abbyasov added.
He mentioned the motto of the festival – “Through Dialogue of Cultures to the Culture of Dialogue” – and stressed that thanks to such initiatives this dialogue takes place and brings new beautiful fruits.
Irada Ayupova, minister of culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, noted during the press approach, ‘Getting to know how the national-cultural code is conveyed in films is a very interesting experience for Tatarstan’. She added that she is curious about the phenomenon of Iranian cinema and Turkish TV series.
At the film festival, speakers talked a lot about preserving traditions, culture and language. For instance, Ruslan Tuktarov, young director, screenwriter, cameraman, editor and producer, decided one day to make a film in the Tatar language and call it Alga, which means Forward. According to the film director, this film is about family values, love and respect. Last year, the film became the best in the category “Small Golden Fleece” at the Golden Fleece 2022 International Festival of National Cinema. At the XIX Kazan Muslim Film Festival, the film will be presented in the National Competition program.
This year, Tatarstan will present the film Zhylak (Crybaby) in the Russia – Islamic World out-of-competition program. The film’s director, Almaz Nurgaliev, noted in an interview for russia-islworld.ru that it is not the first time he has participated in the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival. In 2017 he won in the Best National Documentary category with his film work Nazhiba. Today’s film Crybaby tells about how a theatre actor cannot find himself, his purpose.
The Russia – Islamic World out-of-competition programme also presents:
1) Unhappy Groom (Uzbekistan) directed by Khusnora Rozmatova;
2) Paralympian (Kazakhstan) directed by Aldiyar Bayrakimov;
3) A House for Sale (Kyrgyzstan) directed by Taalaybek Kulmendeev;
4) Orpa (Indonesia) directed by Theo Rumansara;
5) Maryam (India) directed by Arvind Pratap;
6) Memories of Frowning Monsoon (Bangladesh) directed by Khandaker Sumon.